Ford Ranger and Mazda BT 50 utes catch fire in long grass.

[bob10]

Safety recall as Ford Ranger and Mazda BT 50 utes catch fire in long grass. The diesel particulate filter is the culprit.

Ford Ranger recalled due to possible fire risk - Pat Callinan's 4X4 Adventures (https://mr4x4.com.au/ford-ranger-bt-50-recalled-due-possible-fire-risk/)

[trout1105]

Any truck driven through long grass is in danger of catching fire if you don't constantly check underneath for the grass building up.

[bob10]

Any truck driven through long grass is in danger of catching fire if you don't constantly check underneath for the grass building up.

Vehicles with diesel particulate filters are especially prone due to the very high temperatures reached during the process. Hence the safety recall. The BT50 and the Ranger are both manufactured in the same production line in Thailand. I agree totally with your comment, especially so in spinifex country.

[Roverlord off road spares]

There were a couple of kids that died many years ago in Melbourne where the driver parked his family car on the side of the road in long grass, the exhaust started the fire and incinerated the car.

[loanrangie]

Not just in grass, a video on facebook showed a Ranger engulfed in flames parked next to a D4 out the front of shop in town, hopefully they saved the D4.

[Eevo]

our fire station just bought a new BT50....

[SSmith]

our fire station just bought a new BT50....Must now be escorted everywhere by a tanker?

[101RRS]

Prado has the same issue.

[Eevo]

Must now be escorted everywhere by a tanker?

i'l make that recommendation

[shanegtr]

Must now be escorted everywhere by a tanker?
Nah, just to be used for training[bigsmile]

[scarry]

It will be interesting to see how they are going to fix the issue.

[ramblingboy42]

I see from the photos it's just the South Australian registered ones.

[CraigE]

Not all of these have been in tall grass. Several in car parks, so not the grass that is the issue.
Len Beadells advice was great regarding long grass / spinfex. If you can stop and burn off a small area around the size of your car or a bit bigger and when extinguished park on the burnt area if there are no clear areas to park.

[carjunkieanon]

Not all of these have been in tall grass. Several in car parks, so not the grass that is the issue.
Len Beadells advice was great regarding long grass / spinfex. If you can stop and burn off a small area around the size of your car or a bit bigger and when extinguished park on the burnt area if there are no clear areas to park.

Len Beadell's a legend.

Would love to see someone do this these days. Pulls up, casually torches a section of grass, puts it out, drives forward, hopes out, locks car, walks away.

[V8Ian]

Len Beadell's a legend.

Would love to see someone do this these days. Pulls up, casually torches a section of grass, puts it out, drives forward, hopes out, locks car, walks away.
Can you lock a Series 1, if so, why bother anyway? [biggrin]

[superquag]

NOT the news a Farmer-friend needs to hear during harvest time..:firedevil:

Already 'dislikes' his new, diesel Auto BT50 due to it's drinking problem, comparable with a Rover V8. [bigwhistle] - Around 80% more than his previous, manual box'd BT50. - and that's before the ten thousand k service. Dealer seems unable to help... "Seriously looking at Other Brands if this 10k service doesn't make a big improvement.

[trout1105]

Not all of these have been in tall grass. Several in car parks, so not the grass that is the issue.
Len Beadells advice was great regarding long grass / spinfex. If you can stop and burn off a small area around the size of your car or a bit bigger and when extinguished park on the burnt area if there are no clear areas to park.

Burning off spinifex or long grass to secure your truck sounds logical But if you don't know what you are doing it can easily start a wildfire.
This is best done early in the morning when the grass is a bit damp so that it is easier to control [thumbsupbig]

[CraigE]

Yeah absolutely, just 1 tuft at a time.
Been to plenty of spinifex fires in the Plibara. It takes off quick. A shovel wont do the trick, try digging out spinifex or love grass.
For most travel there is usually a clearing to be found.

Burning off spinifex or long grass to secure your truck sounds logical But if you don't know what you are doing it can easily start a wildfire.
This is best done early in the morning when the grass is a bit damp so that it is easier to control [thumbsupbig]

[CraigE]

Honestly, pretty easy for anyone with an ounce of sense, Not for idiots though. Generally talking spinifex country where there is no clearing.

Len Beadell's a legend.

Would love to see someone do this these days. Pulls up, casually torches a section of grass, puts it out, drives forward, hopes out, locks car, walks away.

[mekon76]

We've lost a couple of Rangers at work in this style. Ranger has the recall now, so maybe some sort of underside plating.

CFA recently went over the need to clear nooks and cranies on tankers, been tankers destroyed same way.

[rammypluge]

Oops.https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/12/639.jpg

[Tins]

Oops.https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/12/639.jpg

Is that a gas bottle on the back floor? Hope the photographer was using a long lens!

[Disco-tastic]

Is that a gas bottle on the back floor? Hope the photographer was using a long lens!Nah it's paint on the rear door. The BT50's have (aptly named) 'suicide' doors.

[jonesfam]

Ford Rangers, Mazda BT-50s recalled as farmers report grass fires sparked by new vehicles - ABC Rural - ABC News (http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-12-29/ford-rangers-mazda-bt-50s-recalled-as-farmers-report-spot-fires/9291848)

I have always been very aware that driving across long grass causes a fire risk.

Would this not be operator error?

Jonesfam

[AK83]

.....

Would this not be operator error?

Jonesfam

Not necesarily.
While there's a risk in starting fires in long grass with any vehicle, those DPF filters get seriously hot when the regen cycle starts up.
If you've never experienced one, the heat isn't normal hot muffler heat(say 100°C type heat), it's oven/furnace like heat! more like a few hundred degrees.

I once used the DPF 'muffler' on our Isuzu truck to get some heat into a pair of sodden riggers gloves. I knew it was hot, you can feel it's radiant heat from a meter away .. but never the less, I carefully placed the sodden gloves on the muffler during a regen cycle.
Poof! Gloves blackened and melted the leather in about 10sec(or so).
Can't really remember how quick it took ... as my mad panic attack had me kicking the smoldering gloves off the muffler before they exploded and I lost all comprehension of normality in trying minimise an idiotic situation from becoming a disastrous idiotic situation! :p

So I wouldn't be blaming the farmer or his wife for the issue in that story.
It really is up to a manufacturer to make sure that a product is safe in any situation, and selling these vehicles to farmers, you'd reasonably expect that a farmer may traverse long grass at some point in their lives.
These vehicles are taken camping, it's not unreasonable to expect that the vehicle would be driven or parked on longish grass in those situations.
Now that I know just how dangerous those DPF filters are during the regen cycle, I have a much clearer respect for what they can become.
The manufacturer should have a very obvious warning label in the vehicle to alert people to the inevitable danger that they can cause.

[jonesfam]

I'm kind of anal retentive about cars so I always read the manual.
I can't be 100% sure it was in every manual I've read but it has certainly been in a couple of them.
Something to the effect "Warning: Exhaust regeneration filter (or what ever) generates very hot temperatures" & so on.
I know most people don't read car manuals & think it' just a car, but if it's in the manual (& I don't know if it is in Ford/Mazda manual) I would have thought they were covered?
I have limited knowledge of the law & immediate corrective action is the best business choice but I still say pretty common knowledge?

Jonesfam

[Gordie]

A few years back, some of my co-workers were driving commodores onto paddocks and starting fires. There is a little bit of common sense involved.

[DazzaTD5]

Its not the first fire related recall for Ford vehicles. At least there engineering seems consistent with making their death trap vehicles burst into flames.... Kuga, Fiesta, now the Ranger, not to mention all the transmission issues with the focus.

What a completely **** brand, Thats got to be a red flag to keep family members and anyone else you care about from ever getting into a new Ford.

Regards Daz

[Eevo]

Fire On Road Daily

[Gordie]

What a completely **** brand, Thats got to be a red flag to keep family members and anyone else you care about from ever getting into a new Ford.

Regards DazRather a sweeping statement...sort of thing one would expect to hear from a Toyota owner toward a Land Rover.

[DazzaTD5]

Rather a sweeping statement...sort of thing one would expect to hear from a Toyota owner toward a Land Rover.

Not really.... Ford have had more fire related recalls than any other brand, so how is that not a **** brand ??
Other brands manage to build a vehicle without it bursting into flame.
The last decent Ford was the Australian built and designed Territory.

Ford is in my list of top **** brands not to buy new
Ford, Holden, VW, Mercedes.
All suffer poor build quality, poor reliability, poor customer service & support.


Why would anyone bother when you can buy a SAFE quality built vehicle with good service & support from the likes of
Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru.

Regards
Daz

[Gordie]

Not really.... Ford have had more fire related recalls than any other brand, so how is that not a **** brand ??
Other brands manage to build a vehicle without it bursting into flame.
The last decent Ford was the Australian built and designed Territory.

Ford is in my list of top **** brands not to buy new
Ford, Holden, VW, Mercedes.
All suffer poor build quality, poor reliability, poor customer service & support.


Why would anyone bother when you can buy a SAFE quality built vehicle with good service & support from the likes of
Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru.

Regards
DazSome may say that at least with recalls they are being open about their mistakes! But hey we are all entitled to our opinions, and for myself, I wouldn't write off a brand just for the probs with a few models. [smilebigeye]

[DazzaTD5]

Some may say that at least with recalls they are being open about their mistakes! But hey we are all entitled to our opinions, and for myself, I wouldn't write off a brand just for the probs with a few models. [smilebigeye]

re recalls, yes I'm sure its just that... like VW / Audi right? that kind of openness..... yes? that kind of out-standing VW way of doing things [tonguewink]
Or maybe that good way Ford is still currently selling Ranger models that are part of the recall.
Or that openness Ford has with the focus recall, so outstanding in their customer service that the ACCC is taking legal action.

we arent talking about annoying plastic trim popping off or an oil leak here or there, or even a mechanical part thats hard to remove etc etc (ah la Land Rover)
With the case of Ford, Holden, VW, Mercedes we are talking major mechanical failures that potentially could result in death if they havent already (personal opinion not researched)
These are **** brands selling **** cars with **** customer support (personal opinion)

I fail to see why anyone would risk family and/or other loved ones for the sake of a motor vehicle.

[tonguewink]
Regards
Daz

[Eevo]

I fail to see why anyone would risk family and/or other loved ones for the sake of a motor vehicle.



ever heard of motorbikes? lol

[Gordie]

ever heard of motorbikes? lolLucky Ford don't make motorbikes!

[bee utey]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/12/768.jpg

[LRT]

I've always wondered how a rider controls the torque roll of a north-south configuration or is it not noticeable on 2 wheels?

[V8Ian]

I've always wondered how a rider controls the torque roll of a north-south configuration or is it not noticeable on 2 wheels?
It's not noticeable on any Goldwing I've owned. The counter-rotating alternator does its job.

[Graeme]

Knowing the significantly extra fire risk of a DPF over the exhaust generally, I ordered my 3.0 D4 after the close of the 1st day order window as all 1st day 3.0 orders were to be fitted with a DPF. However my vehicle got included in or drawn from the 1st day window production run so arrived fitted with a DPF. I didn't take that vehicle, instead re-ordering with my same original specs even though the delivery would be delayed another 3 months as being a farmer and having already done some remote area travelling, I particularly didn't want a DPF .

[donh54]

I've always wondered how a rider controls the torque roll of a north-south configuration or is it not noticeable on 2 wheels?

My Dads friend had a Henderson. Dad said you had to ride it using the throttle, power on to lean one way, off to lean the other way.

Sounds like fun!

[shanegtr]

Ford have had more fire related recalls than any other brand
More than Jeep? [tonguewink]

[PAT303]

Rather a sweeping statement...sort of thing one would expect to hear from a Toyota owner toward a Land Rover.

As much as I like my TDCi Defender,it's not a patch on the Tdi. Everything that has gone wrong with it has been part's made by either Ford or Toyota,all the Land Rover bits are going fine. Pat

[PAT303]

re recalls, yes I'm sure its just that... like VW / Audi right? that kind of openness..... yes? that kind of out-standing VW way of doing things [tonguewink]
Or maybe that good way Ford is still currently selling Ranger models that are part of the recall.
Or that openness Ford has with the focus recall, so outstanding in their customer service that the ACCC is taking legal action.

we arent talking about annoying plastic trim popping off or an oil leak here or there, or even a mechanical part thats hard to remove etc etc (ah la Land Rover)
With the case of Ford, Holden, VW, Mercedes we are talking major mechanical failures that potentially could result in death if they havent already (personal opinion not researched)
These are **** brands selling **** cars with **** customer support (personal opinion)

I fail to see why anyone would risk family and/or other loved ones for the sake of a motor vehicle.

[tonguewink]
Regards
Daz

Daz,Toyota GM and Ford all have very poor record's regarding the safety of their vehicles.When the bonnet flew open on my Hilux and wrapped over the roof in 2008 I was not happy to find out it had been happening since 2004. Pat

[DazzaTD5]

More than Jeep? [tonguewink]

No more than... "dont Land Rovers break axles?"

Honestly, I wouldnt buy a Jeep either, Fiat Chrysler customer support is equal to zero....

Regards
Daz

[Pub247]

Saw this on news tonight. i saw it was a dual cab but brief glimpse i got couldnt determine if it was a ranger or bt50

Car starts bushfire in Sydney's south as NSW experiences high fire danger (http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/car-starts-bushfire-in-sydneys-south-as-nsw-experiences-high-fire-danger-20161006-grwsdx.html)

[superquag]

NOT the news a Farmer-friend needs to hear during harvest time..:firedevil:

Already 'dislikes' his new, diesel Auto BT50 due to it's drinking problem, comparable with a Rover V8. [bigwhistle] - Around 80% more than his previous, manual box'd BT50. - and that's before the ten thousand k service. Dealer seems unable to help... "Seriously looking at Other Brands if this 10k service doesn't make a big improvement.


A follow-up: - As I suspected, the Dealer was unable to make any changes to the car's insatiable thirst - so Farmer test-drove an ISUZU diesel ute the week after....

Due to stock shortage, picked it up 2 weeks ago and not only does it run rings around the Mazda regarding power and with superior torque - curve, but 'Real Life' farm-work looks like matching the advertised 7.6 litres / 100km frugality.
- For comparison, the NEW, (10K old auto-trans) BT50 was quoted around 10 litres, and usually guzzled 15 to 20+ in real life, and around 12 to 15 l/100km for the previous - manual - BT50

Bonus is... the DPF - thingy is up near the turbo, inside the 'engine room' and far, far away from the stubble, and gets 'enthusiastic' every 600km instead of the BT50's 300 or so.

He's so happy with the engine/drivetrain that he won't be going back to FORZDA.

Only down-side is the comfy bucket seats... no room for an annoying middle-seat passenger in the front...
[bigwhistle]

[Bigbjorn]

Its not the first fire related recall for Ford vehicles. At least there engineering seems consistent with making their death trap vehicles burst into flames.... Kuga, Fiesta, now the Ranger, not to mention all the transmission issues with the focus.

What a completely **** brand, Thats got to be a red flag to keep family members and anyone else you care about from ever getting into a new Ford.

Regards Daz

And don't forget the under bonnet fires on the SOHC inline 6. A leak at the power steering pump drips oil directly onto the alternator. I know.

[uninformed]

A follow-up: - As I suspected, the Dealer was unable to make any changes to the car's insatiable thirst - so Farmer test-drove an ISUZU diesel ute the week after....

Due to stock shortage, picked it up 2 weeks ago and not only does it run rings around the Mazda regarding power and with superior torque - curve, but 'Real Life' farm-work looks like matching the advertised 7.6 litres / 100km frugality.
- For comparison, the NEW, (10K old auto-trans) BT50 was quoted around 10 litres, and usually guzzled 15 to 20+ in real life, and around 12 to 15 l/100km for the previous - manual - BT50

Bonus is... the DPF - thingy is up near the turbo, inside the 'engine room' and far, far away from the stubble, and gets 'enthusiastic' every 600km instead of the BT50's 300 or so.

He's so happy with the engine/drivetrain that he won't be going back to FORZDA.

Only down-side is the comfy bucket seats... no room for an annoying middle-seat passenger in the front...
[bigwhistle]

The Dmax is definitely a good ute. Im guessing your mate had the 2.2 BT50 not the 3.2....

How youd fit 3 people across the front of any of these is a short trip joke!

For me the Dmax was lacking in a few areas and not any difference in price. Ill be looking at and keeping an eye on their new offering pretty hard when it comes out at the end of this year/next. Mazda will be going with Isuzu next ute as they have had a falling out with Ford

[superquag]

Old-school Farmer, so no chance of anything under 3 litres. - same as previous cars, a 3L manual-trans BT50 then the 3L auto abomination.

Visited recently and drove it. Impressive, good driving position, and same effortless acceleration across paddocks..with/without humungous roll of of hay on board.

Acid test was 2 sorties to thin the vermin. Rides a tad 'firmer' with less rock'n'rolling, so easier to maintain balance on the back when chasing Reynard and Buggs.
- consensus of Missus (spotting), self and #1 son (adjusting mineral content of landscape...)

- Chased and bagged one pesky wabbit - on the move - with first shot. Can't ask for more stable rolling platform.

Best of all, the "after-burner" is on the end of Turbo, both mounted high in the Engine Room well clear of everything flammable.

Happy Customer !

[uninformed]

not sure how it has superior torque.... I test drove both twice before buying. The BT50 is not lacking thats for sure.

[rick130]

12-15l/100 for a manual BT50 seems suspiciously high.

Averaged 10.4-10.7 with a steel tray, steel boxes and at least 300kg on top of that, plus ladders on top over two years.

[uninformed]

12l/100 since I bought it, @17k now and I tow 90-95% of the time, 1.9t dual axle .....and drive like a ****ed off teenager

[DazzaTD5]

Just to add...
Its not really a DPF issue, its crap engineering.
Heavy vehicles such as trucks, its well documented in owners manuals high lighting the potential fire risks associated with the DPF (or DPD) when doing a regen cycle (heavy vehicles are more dependent on the operator doing a manual regen cycle).

If you look at the location of the DPF on the Ford Ranger its sits half way down the vehicle, sits below the chassis line and just to ensure its going to collect enough combustible material to burst into flames, the heat shield on the bottom has an open leading edge to cut and pack in that dry grass!!! Go Ford!!

On the other end look at a DPF equipped Land Rover Defender TDCi (non Aust models) it sits in the engine bay ABOVE the chassis line, as with a lot of DPF equipped vehicles.

Regards
Daz

[donh54]

John Cadogan has given Ford a serve regarding their BS "recall" efforts over the Ranger DPF fire risk issues.

If it wasn't so dangerous, Ford's response would be bloody laughable!

[Homestar]

Yeah, Fords official line is 'don't drive it through long grass or scrub'.... Brilliant....

[Eevo]

Yeah, Fords official line is 'don't drive it through long grass or scrub'.... Brilliant....


but hasnt that been the rule even before DPF?

[Homestar]

but hasnt that been the rule even before DPF?

He he - given Fords record over the years with spontaneous combusion, you have a point...

[donh54]

He he - given Fords record over the years with spontaneous combusion, you have a point...

Maybe they're resurrecting the old Pinto [bighmmm] :firedevil:

[Arch]

John Cadogan has given Ford a serve regarding their BS "recall" efforts over the Ranger DPF fire risk issues.


No one should take that bloke seriously - all he does is fuel fires for his own benefit.

[donh54]

No one should take that bloke seriously - all he does is fuel fires for his own benefit.

I'd believe what he says before what the spin doctors at Ford and GMH come out with!

Wonder what his benefit is from telling about crap engineering and even worse customer service?

[Arch]

Self promotion and advertising dollars. Watching his youtubes are cigarettes for your brain.

[Homestar]

No one should take that bloke seriously - all he does is fuel fires for his own benefit.

How does he benefit from bagging out certain brands? His business is selling cars to people wholesale so alienating part of his potential customer base doesn’t benefit him as far as I can tell?

He’s the only one I’ve found that tells it like it is because he accepts NO money from ANY manufacturer.

Please enlighten me how this helps him?